Title: Logical Requiem
Characters: Reincarnated!Sho/Reincarnated!Neku (Father/Son relationship—not pairings!)
Rating: M-Mild Violence
Warnings: Spoilers for end of the game. Takes place 300 years after the official game.
Summary: Sho tries his life anew as a math teacher aged 22, after completing his course in Uni. With the present and past holding a missing link, it is soon evident that his life so far, had been hurdles that even he can't recall. One day, he finds Pi-Face's cap beyond the Shibuya River, only then does his life as an unwilling trouble magnet begins, the first signs being that a familiar student with headphones and a sketchy past enters his first session...
Notes: Co-written with Houkai-Amplifier. (DeviantART)
Known Characters involved in this Chapter: Sho, Neku.
Apart from the encounter with Joshua, Sho relatively had a good day, and was walking home leisurely, taking the time to enjoy the cool air of early winter. He would always walk by the Shibukyu Stationside and 104, it was an inevitable path he would take, and so today he took a detour on the way back. He stopped by in Molco's Tiger Punks and obtained Pi-Face's trousers. He had recently gone around school, amazed that most kids in Middle School still enjoy Tin Pin. There he got the right amount of Orichalcum to get such a tricky item.
Pondering about what he would cook for dinner tonight, Sho made his way back to Pork City. Almost oblivious that he was being followed. "Ok, you can stop stalking me, Hectopascal. Show yourself!" he shouted without turning around to look behind him.
Holding his arm awkwardly and looking away, Neku came out from hiding. "Y-you told Joshua, didn't you?" he said with a tone of anger. Past encounters with Joshua have earned Neku's distrust. Just the nature of Joshua's character isn't trustworthy. But in Neku's uncertainty for most things in life at the moment, he was fooled.
He slightly turned around when he heard Neku's voice.
"What? Do you think that I, of all degrees, would tell a nosey Composer what's been happening? He almost blackmailed me. He could have seen the news or figured it out himself. I don't often lie. If I did, it would be to the staff and staff alone. I know I've met him in another life, I think... but too stupid and blind from ambition to notice." Sho adjusted the suitcase in one hand, and had the recently obtained trousers over his shoulder, "Besides, I didn't say anything, just warned him to leave you alone. How he found your place, that's out of my knowledge."
Neku scratched his arm, keeping fairly quiet. This confrontation had turned out to be more awkward than anything.
"...Whatever," he mumbled carelessly. He thought about walking off, but didn't.
Sho gave a soft sigh. It must be hard in life to accept and reject a few things. "C'mon. If you're still having trouble sorting the information out, I'll be happy to lend an ear. It's cold outside." he turned around again to head home, "Do you plan on coming or going?"
"I uh... Don't really care." Neku replied. "...I should probably just head home anyway" he added. He hadn't really thought that far ahead.
Really, was it in the teen's nature to push away those who are trying to help? Well, with people like Joshua, that was understandable. And then it clicked; how does Joshua know where Neku lives if he wasn't welcomed, especially when the chances of him telling were nil? Why does Joshua know about this if Sho didn't? And what exactly is Neku hiding?
"You wouldn't tell Joshua anything about yourself, would you? How did he know where you lived?" Sho asked in curiosity, "And the way you said 'home'... doesn't sound like you're keen on going. You wouldn't mind if I came along?"
"A place is a place I guess..." He trailed off for a little. His attention started to wander and his tone gained a hint of harshness. "If it were up to me, I'd be gone from that place."
Independence. The one thing Neku relatively looked forward to in his life. A life with a little meaning, and where he can take some control. Of course, this desire was well hidden. It's in Neku's stubborn nature which hides his true nature from everyone, and even from himself.
"...First I need a job." he continued, easing his tone back down.
'You wouldn't mind if I came along'? So zetta insensitive. You need to sound like as though you're interested in Phones' wellbeing. Go on, Grim Heaper, try again...
"If you're looking for a job, you may need a resume. When I told that yoctogram to shape up, the one who kept throwing the friggin' forest around, I wasn't joshing for kicks. 'Japan doesn't work like that', can you remember that? To get a job, one must present a resume with a good record in life, and it must all add up with a positive attitude.
"Passing Yr 12 is good. Completing a University course gets better results. (Figuring that you don't give a digit right now...) To shoot now while in Yr 10 and on the verge of quitting won't get you far. I met some guy at WildKat, Sanae, I believe, he only told me a few things that firmly concreted my aims; the first was 'Enjoy Every Moment You Have'. The second, 'You can do whatever you want in life, just remember that it takes a bit of hard work, a strong goal, and a flexible imagination'. I stuck to those values... and here I am; a Math Teacher. I could do Arts and Accounting, but... well, I need to show good behaviour first. I think I screwed up my chances on the first day... heh..."
Knowing that this might have been an information overload for Neku, however slow he went to make it easy to understand, Sho paused and waited before repeating his last question, with added common courtesy; "Is it ok that I came with you, please?"
No zetta. Added 'please'. Perfect.
Neku was still hesitant. It's not like he'd have troubles explaining Sho's presence at home, but it was still strange. Neku's home wasn't really anything to be proud of anyway. It was just a small run-down apartment in a small run-down area.
"Sorry Pi-Face, but I've got things to do today."
It was a poor lie, and easily detected. However it gave Neku the perfect opportunity to walk away. Having no real plans, he decided to scout around the region for potential part-time jobs. Work is work, after all. And the little work he could find, the little bit closer he became to independence.
Sho felt hurt. He didn't like lies. Sadly, he turned around and walked briskly back to Pork City the moment Neku was out of sight.
I can always help...
He got back, changed, this time happily wearing the jeans and cap, and decided to head for WildKat. Along the way he got the bandanna and coat, but decided against wearing them for the time being.
